Council approves spending to improve plant
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Officials estimate that the Janesville Wastewater Treatment plant on the city's south west side may need as much as $32 million in repairs, upgrades and expansion to ready it for the future.
JANESVILLE — Despite the soft economy and the impending closure of the local General Motors plant, city council members agreed Tuesday that spending $32 million to improve the wastewater treatment plant is a necessity.
Some council members initially balked at the price that would raise wastewater fees 30 percent in 2010.
But Jack Messer, director of public works, said it would not be cost effective to phase in the project.
And even after the rate increase, Janesville still would be in the middle when compared to the rates in peer cities.
Council President Amy Loasching asked if the process could be delayed six months until the community knows what’s going to happen to GM and also might have a better idea how many people will leave.
But City Manager Steve Sheiffer said construction is a year away, beginning in spring 2010 and ending in 2011.
Sheiffer said homes don’t have much impact on the treatment plant. General Motors, on the other hand, does.
The city figured General Motors’ closing into the projections, Sheiffer said.
Today’s economy is similar to the climate in 1986, he said, when the council voted to upgrade the treatment plant.
Plants are supposed to get about 20 years of operation. Janesville’s will have 25 by the time the new plant opens, Sheiffer said.
“Can we delay a year or two?” Sheiffer asked. “Absolutely. But with each year you delay, you increase the risk and probability that (we) won’t meet environmental standards.”
And Janesville’s wastewater capacity might be an advantage when one industry compares the city to another, said Jay Winzenz, director of administrative services.
With the loss of jobs, “I can really (understand) everybody being skittish,” Councilman Russ Steeber said. “1,500 people and families potentially leaving the community is always a devastating thing.”
But “we need to be on this project instead of delaying it. We could do a vast disservice to the citizens still here and the potential of the city to come out of (its) slump and move forward.
“We’re investing in the future of the city.”
Aug 14, 2008 at 4:52 a.m.
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i thought or hoped that steve waas leaving. i thought i heard that somewhere
Aug 13, 2008 at 10:46 p.m.
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Ok, that was funny Mainstreet. I'll have to remember that one.
Aug 13, 2008 at 10:19 p.m.
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Your bill doesn't have to go up 30%. Just follow this simple rule: If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.
Aug 13, 2008 at 8:32 p.m.
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Throw 'em out with the bath water! LOL! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
Aug 13, 2008 at 8:25 p.m.
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Like I said, Thanks City council.
Aug 13, 2008 at 4:41 p.m.
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okay we can get a grant for a stupid unneccesary tunnel. why can we get a grant for this!?????
Aug 13, 2008 at 4:38 p.m.
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this is the only one that makes since but there new name should be city spending council!!! seems EVERY day they are SPENDING!!!!
Aug 13, 2008 at 3:36 p.m.
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"But City Manager Steve Sheiffer said construction is a year away, beginning in spring 2010 and ending in 2011."
Just in time for the massive job losses.
I also note that the actual $ increase was not included in the article above.
"Quarterly water bills will increase just over $18 effective spring 2010 to help pay for the improvements." (bottom of the linked article)
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2008/aug...
That's an increase of about $72/year.
Aug 13, 2008 at 3:26 p.m.
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Thanks City Council. I need another high bill to pay.
Aug 13, 2008 at 3:04 p.m.
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Maybe if the city would stop spending money on cute things like personalized man hole covers, skate parks and museums, then they could fix the existing parks, roadways and sewer treatment plants without taxing the poop out of people.
Aug 13, 2008 at 2:04 p.m.
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About that bike tunnel. I cross there at least four times a week and I'm still here. If you don't like crossing at that crosswalk, walk on down to the intersection of Wright Rd. and E. Milwaukee.
If someone hits you, and I hope that never happens, then they should have to suffer the consequences.
Aug 13, 2008 at 1:10 p.m.
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Concerning the bike tunnel. Just for the record it is the least expense alternative because of grants available; unless you do nothing and then I'm willing to bet you and children haven't cross there.
It isn't spelled out why the upgrades are needed and I've already seen my water bill more than triple in the last 10 years.
Aug 13, 2008 at 1 p.m.
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I think the city would have faced the same cheep cheep cheep gallery if they'd begun the upgrade process five years ago. At least, that's been the refrain from Janesville my entire life. Cheep cheep cheep.
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This is a necessity, no matter what people think about the other proposals. We aren't in dire straits yet, and we probably will have stagnant growth in the short term, but Steeber is also correct that negative growth is something of a worst case scenario. Meanwhile the city needs to proceed with projects, many of which are paid for over a 20 or 30 year bond life, or in this case, by user fees which are still atypically low.
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Just remember -- like the book says, everybody poops.
Aug 13, 2008 at 12:29 p.m.
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City council reminds me of the congress & state goverment. Spend money you don't have & worry about it later.
Aug 13, 2008 at 12:04 p.m.
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Will their be money or grants available from the DNR to help with the project? Janesville does need to upgrade and prove to potential new industry that we and are able to handle any wastewater that they would have.
Aug 13, 2008 at 11:39 a.m.
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I agree with lakennedy. Maintaining a wastewater plant is the kind of necessity that the city government is supposed to exist for.
Aug 13, 2008 at 10:59 a.m.
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I can see how my blog can be easily misinterpreted. I know he's in favor of the wastewater facility. I agree that it is a necessity. I just question his quote because he's continuously voting in favor of using taxpayer money for things like the tunnel and childrens museum.
Sorry for the bad phrasing!!!
Aug 13, 2008 at 10:16 a.m.
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lakennedy,
Mr. Steeber is in favor of the improvements to the water treatment plant. The very next sentence after the one you quoted says "we need to be on this project instead of delaying it."
Aug 13, 2008 at 9:35 a.m.
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Is it just me or does anyone else see the humor in the fact that each time the economy goes to sh-t, we upgrade the water treatment plant?
Aug 13, 2008 at 9:15 a.m.
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Mr. Steeber, although you're quoted as saying “I can really (understand) everybody being skittish,” Councilman Russ Steeber said. “1,500 people and families potentially leaving the community is always a devastating thing.” Your votes prove that you do not understand. These upgrades are a necessity. The Children's Museum and Tunnel that you've voted for ARE NOT. Furthermore, let me remind you that you were elected to vote in the best interest of this community. Your continous votes to spend money on recreational facitlities such as the tunnel and the museum provide proof that you are not acting on behalf of the best interest of Janesville.
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